Well that Sarto and C59 frameset won't be cheap. I need something a little more friendly to my budget. This thread was never meant to be a debate about which is better rim brake or disc brake just a thread for frame idea. It seems a custom steel frame is the way I will go.

i know you mentioned something about the hongfu disc frame not being up to spec for you on page two - but did you check the 2014 model? the 58cm has a 581tt, with a 73deg st and 73.5deg ht. obviously its not 100% perfect but it certainly would be quite cost effective vs a custom steel frame (at least double the cost) toss a 130mm stem on there and tweak your setback to get your contact points and you'd be good to go id imagine.

Below my disc bike which has been on the road since October. I think it must have cost about 20% of the gorgeous bikes pictured above, being based as it is on a Chinese AC024 CX frame and some components carried forward from a previous bike. Bit of a budget weenie project. It was intended as an all-weather bike and as I've just come back from 43km in 5C and light rain I can say it's fulfilling that purpose admirably.

The brakes are excellent. As someone else pointed out, modulation is a strong point. So, surprisingly, is silence. Rim brakes in winter round here grate horribly against the rim because of road grit. That hasn't been an issue with discs. They are not immune to water, it slows the response but they get there. In the dry they have a lot of power. They're 160mm front and rear. I think there is certainly an argument for dropping to 140mm, at least for the rear.

I'm now pretty sure discs will take over for road within the next 5 years. The delay won't be the brake technology, it'll be the industry tooling up for mass production of disc groupsets, frames, hubs, rims and so on. It's a huge opportunity for the industry, no question, but the bikes will be good.

As for the pro ranks, Wiggins might have appreciated discs on those wet Giro descents last year. I don't buy that they'll slow anyone down in bunch racing.

Back on topic.I am now thinking newcomers will buy disc road bikes just because they look less cluttered.Fashion is a big part of cycling, the manufacturers will sell this new tech no problem when they hide the majority of cabling.

they are just stickers on the painted frame. There's no lacquer over the top as I stuck them on myself, nut they look fine.

I could modify the frame to enable internal routing of the rear brake hose, and it's something I'll chew over in the future. It would need two new holes drilling/dremelling; one on the downtube and one one the rear left chainstay but it should be possible without too much trouble.

I'm considering the HongFu FM079 as my next rig but have a few questions for owners.

What is the fork steerer and rake?Any idea if the ENVE Road disc fork will work?Can someone confirm the BB spec?Ultegra 11 Cranks work?Go with 160F and 140mm rear rotors or dual 160's (will they clear the rear?)Headset spec?

I've narrowed it down to a 58cm based on the geo. Would like to do an all ENVE cockpit, post and the new 3.4 disc smart system wheels with a full Ultegra Di2 11 speed.

I can only comment on the 166disc but I'd be fairly confident these are the answers:

What is the fork steerer and rake? Carbon 1 1/8 -1 1/2 tapered, and don't know the rake but can measure if you wantAny idea if the ENVE Road disc fork will work? Should do.Can someone confirm the BB spec? I run BSA threaded but you may be able to go BB30, though not sure why ;o)Ultegra 11 Cranks work? On BSA yesGo with 160F and 140mm rear rotors or dual 160's (will they clear the rear?) The 166 is based on 140 at BOTH ends. I've spaced out the front fork to allow 160. Not sure if you could fit 160 at the rear but I can check.Headset spec? They (HongFu) supply a 1 1/8-1 1/2 tapered headset ('Neco H373') which I think is 45x45 off the top of my head see http://www.necoparts.com/Products.aspx? ... =8&pid=457

I can only comment on the 166disc but I'd be fairly confident these are the answers:

What is the fork steerer and rake? Carbon 1 1/8 -1 1/2 tapered, and don't know the rake but can measure if you wantAny idea if the ENVE Road disc fork will work? Should do.Can someone confirm the BB spec? I run BSA threaded but you may be able to go BB30, though not sure why ;o)Ultegra 11 Cranks work? On BSA yesGo with 160F and 140mm rear rotors or dual 160's (will they clear the rear?) The 166 is based on 140 at BOTH ends. I've spaced out the front fork to allow 160. Not sure if you could fit 160 at the rear but I can check.Headset spec? They (HongFu) supply a 1 1/8-1 1/2 tapered headset ('Neco H373') which I think is 45x45 off the top of my head see http://www.necoparts.com/Products.aspx? ... =8&pid=457

Thanks MD.

I should be able to manage the rake and sounds like BSA is the way to go on this one since I'd like an all Ultegra group on it.

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